Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-03-31

waiting for him where he had left IT, and by
its side an envelope containing his money and
list of the things he was to bring the next
time he called. Similar instructions had been
given TO the other tradesmen. The tax
gatherer, by an arrangement made with Mr..
Dale by Mrs. Mort on signing the lease, was
paid by the squire's steward.
This extraordinary conduct intrigued us
greatly, and was the subject Of intermnable
conversation between on rselves and the Dales
whenever we met Tn csc, by the way, had
met with a reception similar to ours on calling
at Sea View. Their call had never been re
turned, | am ashamed to say that we made
some very unfair supposisions about the
strange lady and her mysterious husband.
| This was, no doubt, because we were all dis
appointed In our hopes of having a pleasant
addition to our small society at Sandville. We
forgot to make allowances for people whose
profession exacted privacy and retirement, nor
did VIC remember that the Morris, having lived
for many years on the continent were most
probably quite unaware Of the usages Of Eng.
lish society," Mr.. Dale seemed very annoyed
at the conduct of his new tenants, and openly
regretted having let them the house. His
maiden sister spoke of Mrs. NJ ort as an 'irrc.
ligious gboul" while Mrs. Dale strongly mod
flied her opinion of the lady whom, when sign
ing nine yesrt lease OF her house. she had
found charming, though peculiar
Our bad example was naturally followed by
the villagers, but unfortunately these did not
confine themselves to verbal speculations. I'm
able to satisfy their curiosity by q variety OF
spying round the premises Of the villa, they
reveugcd themselves by declaring war again
its invisible inhabitants. OF an evening groups
would form outside its gates and cries, In
sulting or mirth provoking, would be uttered.
This soon became regu lar habit. They call
ed il drawing the badger" On one occasion
| one young man went so far as to throw dead
| cat up against one OF the windows on the first
floor. 1t broke the pane and fell throu Oh into
! the room, amid the shouts OF those present,
Suddenly the window was pulled open and
| Mrs. Mort appeared. She looked very angry.
"IIurrah, hurrah!" screamed the yokels
''We've drawn one badger. Now for tother."
But the laughter occasioued by this sally
was soon checked when 1t appeared that Mrs,
Mort was commencing reprisals. The dead
cat was first hurled back, and this was follow
ed by brisk fire Of various books, flung with
unerring aim by the incensed lady. These
| volumes, which were all from various editions
of Shakspeare's works, gave the yokels some
smart raps about the ears. 1t Is doubtful how
far this scandal might not have gone had not
my husband happened to come up at that
moment He was Indignant when he heard
| what had occurred, and sharply rebuked his
parishioners, many of whom had their hands
full of mud and stones which they had just
| picked up to carry on the siege. Indeed SO
| strongly did he express his dlspleasure at
| such molestation of harmless and unoffending
people that from that day forth the nightly
| scenes outside Sea View villa ceased.
After this the general curiosity, for want OF
aliment, appeased itself, and gradually we
| ceased to occupy ourselves about either Mrs
| Mort or her husband.
few weeks later cousin OF mine came to
! spend part Of the Oxford vacation with us.
We naturally told him about the affair, which
greatly interested him.
He vowed that he would draw that badger"
the same evening.
''What a lark" he cried. II never thought
when came down here that l should find
such and adventure waiting for me. Old
Mort. too! am a great admirer of his, but
didn't think he was a crank From his books
one would think him very jolly joyial sort OF
! fellow
Both INV husband and ] endeavored TO per.
suade him to leave these people alone, but to
no purpose Charlie had made up his mind,
and, having matured his plan of attack, sailed
forth at II o'clock in the evening, and made
his way to Sea View villa.
We awaited his return with considerable
anxiety. There was SO much mystery attaching
to tho house and Mrs. Mort was so eccentric in
her behavior, that VIC really felt afraid lest
evil should befall him. 1t was therefore no
small relief to us to hear him ring at the door
about an hour later. 1 rushed out to meet
him, and was delighted to see him safe and
sound, though looking rather pale.
"Wellm | asked anxiously.
ats all right" he answered. "Ive seen
him. But what guy he isl He scared me
out OF my wits"
"a took him up TO my husbands study, and
begged him to tell us all about what he had
seen, and how he had managed to come face
to face with our invisible parshioner.
Yes" he answered; but you must let me
smoke a cigar while l talk-rny nerves are
rather shaken. You won't mind, Mary"
gave my consent readily, and, when be had
lighted his cigar, lie began.
81 knocked several times at the door before
got an answer from within. At last heard
heavy step coming down the stairs, and pres
emily gruff voice asked me, through the spy
hole, who l was and what wanted
az have come down from Jones, Wilson &
Cohorts publishers, you know l answer
! ed. 1T is on most important besiness. Unjust
see him at once
"'What is this businessn asked the voice.
az can only tell it to Mr.. Mort himself.
t repeat it is very important have, besides
to hand him check.
( THE door was then opened, and l entered I
= perfectly dark hall.
"Have you any matches about you! asket
the woman, for woman / distinguished tn
l person to be.
= ''No, l said.
"'Well, then, go in there, she said, pushing
me into a room one side Of the passage.
l. This room was family lighted by wha
c looked like moon light pouring through pane
@ of red glass.
$ 1.-THE drawing room," interrupted. "Yo
q remember, John. Go on Charlie"
b ut had most CHASTITY effect, | can te
s you, and began TO regret having come. Th
woman stood at the door long time withou
i speaking.
III "At last she said: "a will send Mr.. Nor
1t down to you. But you must stay In the darl
1t His eyes won't bear the light"
IT "With these words she went up stairs.
5, felt very uncomfortable, and began feeling il
my pocket for a light. / can not tell 70
At how glad was to discover couple Of fuse,
h in the lining of my waistcoat.
II II heard Ler walking slowly up stairs, an
10 then in the room above my head. Then ther
i'll was sound of voices as Of man and
IN woman talking but / could not dstingui'
as what was said yerv clearly. The man SCENE
| to ask: WHO is It! what does he want
ty The woman's answers were inaudible.
st presently heard steps on the stairs
ne heavy, slow tread. 1t was Mr.. Mort. On Il
at landing he began to whistle, and came viii
81 Ting into the room.
al II was sitting on a chair opposite the do
and | saw him come in. II was tall, sto
he figure, and what greatly surprised Ine W
We that he wore hat.
ps ~ could see neither his face nor his dres
but assure you this tall, black figure wea
hid ing hat was of no very comfortable aspe
ed as saw it pass through that mysterious ligl
' 'He crossed the room, whIstlng all q